Asbestos tape was commonly used in residential and commercial buildings prior to the 1980s to provide insulation for hot water pipes, furnace ducts, air conditioning ducts and other elements of heating and cooling systems.

Asbestos tape appears very similar to what we now call duct tape, but asbestos tape was manufactured with asbestos fibers or asbestos fabric in a light-grey or white color.

Uses for Asbestos Tape

Asbestos tape was primarily used to hold metal air ducts together at joints and prevent air leaks while also providing flame-resistance. Sometimes asbestos tape was used to join together drywall panels.

The tape was used as insulation and protection for the following elements of HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) systems:

Heating and cooling units
Steam pipes
Furnace ducts
Hot water pipes
Air ducts
Air conditioning pipes
Electrical wire
Joining drywall sheets

Potential Hazards of Asbestos Tape

Asbestos tape installed prior to 1986 has been found to contain as much as 80-percent asbestos fibers. The asbestos contained in asbestos tape poses a significant health hazard for construction workers and HVAC mechanics who handle the installation or removal of ducting systems built prior to the 1980s.

If the asbestos tape is torn, frayed, damaged, crumbling or exposed to extreme vibrations or air flow, the microscopic asbestos fibers within the tape can be released into the air, where they then can be inhaled by workers. Inhaled asbestos fibers from asbestos tape can lodge in the lungs, causing damage and possibly leading to the development of cancer.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warns consumers and HVAC workers that asbestos tape on ducting is dangerous to remove or disturb. If the tape is sanded or cut without being wetted or shielded, microscopic, sharp particles can be released into the air which can then be inhaled.

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The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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